Patent application title: SYSTEM AND METHOD OF BOOSTING LAMP LUMINANCE IN A LAPTOP COMPUTING DEVICE

Abstract:

An information handling system is disclosed and includes a display, a lamp
back lighting the display, and a lamp control system coupled to the lamp.
The lamp control system is configured to boost a maximum luminance of the
lamp as the lamp ages.

Claims:

1. An information handling system, comprising:a display;a lamp back
lighting the display; anda lamp control system coupled to the lamp,
wherein the lamp control system is configured to boost a maximum
luminance of the lamp as the lamp ages.

2. The information handling system of claim 1, wherein the information
handling system comprises a laptop computer.

4. The information handling system of claim 1, wherein the display
comprises a liquid crystal display.

5. The information handling system of claim 1, wherein the lamp control
system is operable to monitor a luminance, L, of the lamp starting at an
initial luminance, LI, and wherein when L is equal to a
predetermined first luminance boost trigger, LBT1, L is increased to
a first boosted luminance, LB1.

6. The laptop computing device of claim 5, wherein when L is equal to a
predetermined second luminance boost trigger, LBT2, L is increased
to a second boosted luminance, LB2.

7. A method of increasing a maximum luminance of a lamp within an
information handling system, the method comprising:receiving a user
request to increase a maximum luminance; andbased on the user request and
a temperature of the lamp, selectively increasing a lamp current in order
to increase a maximum luminance of the lamp.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:determining an increase of a
lamp life base on the decrease the maximum luminance; anddisplaying the
increasing in lamp life to the user.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the maximum luminance of the lamp is
increased for a particular application each time the application executes
within the laptop computing device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the application is a video game, a
photography program, or a computer aided drafting program.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising:receiving a user request to
decrease the maximum luminance; anddecreasing lamp current in order to
decrease the maximum luminance of the lamp.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the maximum luminance of the lamp is
decreased when the laptop computing device is switched from alternating
current to direct current.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:determining an increase of
a lamp life base on the decrease the maximum luminance; anddisplaying the
increasing in lamp life to the user.

14. The method of claim 7, wherein the information handling system
comprises a laptop computing device.

15. A method of increasing luminance of a lamp within an information
handling system, the method comprising:monitoring a luminance, L, of the
lamp starting at an initial luminance, LI; andincreasing L to a
first boosted luminance, LB1, when L is equal to a predetermined
first luminance boost trigger, LBT1.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein LBT1 is equal to 0.6*LI and
wherein LB1 is equal to 0.9*LI.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein L is increased from LBT1 to
LB1 by increasing a lamp current, CL, from an initial lamp
current, CLI, to a first boosted lamp current, CBL1.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising:increasing L to a second
boosted luminance, LB2, when L is equal to a predetermined second
luminance boost trigger LBT2.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein LBT2 is equal to 0.5*LI and
wherein LB2 is equal to 0.8*LI.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein L is increased from LBT2 to
LB2 by increasing a lamp current, CL, from a first boost lamp
current, CBL1, to a second boost lamp current, CBL2.

[0002]As the value and use of information continues to increase,
individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store
information. One option available to users is information handling
systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles,
stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal,
or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value
of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and
requirements vary between different users or applications, information
handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how
the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or
communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be
processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information
handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or
configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial
transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or
global communications. In addition, information handling systems may
include a variety of hardware and software components that may be
configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include
one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking
systems.

[0003]A typical laptop computing device can include a liquid crystal
display (LCD) that is backlit by a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL).
A CCFL can have a limited lifetime of approximately fifteen thousand
hours (15,000 hrs). This time is based on the time that it takes the
brightness, or luminance, of the CCFL to drop from an initial value to
fifty percent (50%) of that initial value. The life of the CCFL can be a
major factor in the number of laptop computing devices returned to the
manufacturer to be replaced under warranty. In fact, approximately
thirty-three percent (33%) of returned laptop computing devices are
returned due to a dim CCFL.

[0004]The brightness, or luminance, of the CCFL is directly proportional
to the lamp current, i.e., as the lamp current increases, the brightness
increases. However, the life of the CCFL is indirectly proportional to
the lamp current, as the lamp current increases, the life of the CCFL
decreases. A laptop computing device is typically manufactured with a
maximum brightness that is based on a factory set lamp current that is
optimized between the power consumption and the brightness target. This
maximum brightness is not adjustable by the user.

[0005]Accordingly, there is a need for an improved laptop computing device
with a system and method of controlling maximum lamp luminance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of
illustration, elements illustrated in the Figures have not necessarily
been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements
are exaggerated relative to other elements. Embodiments incorporating
teachings of the present disclosure are shown and described with respect
to the drawings presented herein, in which:

[0011]FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling a lamp
within a laptop computing device; and

[0012]FIG. 6 is a graph indicating lamp luminance plotted versus lamp life
for three different lamp currents.

[0013]The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings
indicates similar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014]An information handling system is disclosed and includes a display,
a lamp back lighting the display, and a lamp control system coupled to
the lamp. The lamp control system is configured to boost a maximum
luminance of the lamp as the lamp ages.

[0015]In another embodiment, a method of increasing a maximum luminance of
a lamp within an information handling system is disclosed. The method can
include receiving a user request to increase a maximum luminance and
based on the user request and a temperature of the lamp, selectively
increasing a lamp current in order to increase a maximum luminance of the
lamp.

[0016]In yet another embodiment, a method of increasing luminance of a
lamp within an information handling system is disclosed. The method
comprises monitoring a luminance, L, of the lamp starting at an initial
luminance, LI, and increasing L to a first boosted luminance,
LB1, when L is equal to a predetermined first luminance boost
trigger, LBT1.

[0017]As indicated above, the following description in combination with
the Figures is provided to assist in understanding the teachings
disclosed herein. The following discussion will focus on specific
implementations and embodiments of the teachings. This focus is provided
to assist in describing the teachings and should not be interpreted as a
limitation on the scope or applicability of the teachings. For example,
much of the following focuses on dynamically changing file types within a
distributed file systems. While the teachings may certainly be utilized
in this application, the teachings may also be utilized in other
applications and with several different types of architectures such as
distributed computing architectures, client/server architectures, or
middleware server architectures.

[0018]FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an
information handling system, generally designated at 100. In one form,
the information handling system 100 can be a computer system such as a
server. As shown in FIG. 1, the information handling system 100 can
include a first physical processor 102 coupled to a first host bus 104
and can further include additional processors generally designated as
nth physical processor 106 coupled to a second host bus 108. The
first physical processor 102 can be coupled to a chipset 110 via the
first host bus 104. Further, the nth physical processor 106 can be
coupled to the chipset 110 via the second host bus 108. The chipset 110
can support multiple processors and can allow for simultaneous processing
of multiple processors and support the exchange of information within
information handling system 100 during multiple processing operations.

[0019]According to one aspect, the chipset 110 can be referred to as a
memory hub or a memory controller. For example, the chipset 110 can
include a dedicated bus to transfer data between first physical processor
102 and the nth physical processor 106. For example, the chipset 110
including a chipset that can include a memory controller hub and an
input/output (I/O) controller hub. As a memory controller hub, the
chipset 110 can function to access the first physical processor 102 using
first bus 104 and the nth physical processor 106 using the second
host bus 108. The chipset 110 can also provide a memory interface for
accessing memory 112 using a memory bus 114. In a particular embodiment,
the buses 104, 108, and 114 can be individual buses or part of the same
bus. The chipset 110 can also provide bus control and can handle
transfers between the buses 104, 108, and 114.

[0020]According to another aspect, the chipset 110 can include an
application specific chipset that provides connectivity to various buses,
and integrates other system functions. For example, the chipset 110 can
be provided using an Intel® Hub Architecture (IHA) chipset that can
also include two parts, a Graphics and AGP Memory Controller Hub (GMCH)
and an I/O Controller Hub (ICH). For example, an Intel 820E, an 815E
chipset, an Intel 975X chipset, an Intel G965 chipset, available from the
Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif., or any combination thereof, can
provide at least a portion of the chipset 110. The chipset 110 can also
be packaged as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0021]In one form, the chipset 110 can be coupled to a video graphics
interface 122 using a third bus 124. In one form, the video graphics
interface 122 can be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Express
interface operable to provide content to display within a video display
unit 126. Other graphics interfaces may also be used. The video graphics
interface 122 can provide a video display output 128 to the video display
unit 126. The video display unit 126 can include one or more types of
video displays such as a flat panel display (FPD), cathode ray tube
display (CRT) or other type of display device.

[0022]The information handling system 100 can also include an I/O
interface 130 that can be connected via an I/O bus 120 to the chipset
110. The I/O interface 130 and I/O bus 120 can include industry standard
buses or proprietary buses and respective interfaces or controllers. For
example, the I/O bus 120 can also include a PCI bus or a high speed
PCI-Express bus. In one embodiment, a PCI bus can be operated at
approximately 66 MHz and a PCI-Express bus can be operated at more than
one (1) speed (e.g. 2.5 GHz and 5 GHz). PCI buses and PCI-Express buses
can be provided to comply with industry standards for connecting and
communicating between various PCI-enabled hardware devices. Other buses
can also be provided in association with, or independent of, the I/O bus
120 including, but not limited to, industry standard buses or proprietary
buses, such as Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), Small Computer
Serial Interface (SCSI), Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C), System
Packet Interface (SPI), or Universal Serial buses (USBs).

[0023]In an alternate embodiment, the chipset 110 can be a chipset
employing a Northbridge/Southbridge chipset configuration (not
illustrated). For example, a Northbridge portion of the chipset 110 can
communicate with the first physical processor 102 and can control
interaction with the memory 112, the I/O bus 120 that can be operable as
a PCI bus, and activities for the video graphics interface 122. The
Northbridge portion can also communicate with the first physical
processor 102 using first bus 104 and the second bus 108 coupled to the
nth physical processor 106. The chipset 110 can also include a
Southbridge portion (not illustrated) of the chipset 110 and can handle
I/O functions of the chipset 110. The Southbridge portion can manage the
basic forms of I/O such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), serial I/O, audio
outputs, Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE), and ISA I/O for the
information handling system 100.

[0024]The information handling system 100 can further include a disk
controller 132 coupled to the I/O bus 120, and connected to an I/O
interface 130 and one or more internal disk drives such as a hard disk
drive (HDD) 134 and an optical disk drive (ODD) 136 such as a Read/Write
Compact Disk (R/W CD), a Read/Write Digital Video Disk (R/W DVD), a
Read/Write mini-Digital Video Disk (R/W mini-DVD), or other type of
optical disk drive.

[0025]In a particular embodiment, the information handling system 100 can
include a laptop computing device. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a laptop
computing device that is designated 200. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the
laptop computing device 200 includes a base 202 and a lid 204 that is
coupled to the base by a first hinge 206 and a second hinge 208. In a
particular embodiment, a keyboard 210 is incorporated into the base 202
of the laptop computing device 200. Further, a mouse 212 is incorporated
into the base 202 of the laptop computing device 200. In an illustrative
embodiment, the mouse 212 is a touch pad mouse.

[0026]As shown in FIG. 2, a display 214 is incorporated into the lid 204
of the laptop computing device 200. In a particular embodiment, the
display 214 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), e.g., a thin film
transistor (TFT) LCD. Alternatively, the display 214 can be a plasma
display or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. In a
particular embodiment, the display 214 can be backlit by a cold cathode
fluorescent lamp (CCFL). The lamp current of the CCFL can be controlled,
as described herein, in order to substantially maximize brightness of the
CCFL or maximize the life of the CCFL.

[0027]In a particular embodiment, a task bar 216 and a plurality of
desktop icons 218, 220, 222 can be presented to a user of the laptop
computing device 200 via the display 214. Further, a cursor 224 can be
presented to the user via the display 214. In a particular embodiment,
the task bar 216, the plurality of desktop icons 218, 220, 222, and the
cursor 224 are part of a desktop that can be selectively presented to a
user. Further, in a particular embodiment, a user can control the curser
224 with the mouse 212 and as such, a user can interact with one or more
programs executable by the laptop computing device 200 via the display
214 and the mouse 212.

[0028]For example, a lamp control panel can be presented to the user via
the display 214. The user can use the lamp control panel to change a
maximum brightness of the CCFL. The maximum brightness of the CCFL is the
maximum brightness that can be achieved by the CCFL during operation of
the laptop computing device in which the CCFL is installed. The maximum
brightness of the CCFL is based on the life of the CCFL and is based on
the lamp current supplied to the CCFL. For a particular lamp current, the
maximum brightness of the CCFL will deteriorate as the CCFL ages. In a
particular embodiment, the user may decide to increase the maximum
brightness of the CCFL for a particular application, e.g., a video game,
a photography program, a computer aided drafting (CAD) program, or some
other program in which the brightness of the CCFL increases the user
experience with the program.

[0029]In a particular embodiment, the user may decide to increase the
maximum brightness of the CCFL when the laptop computing device is
operating on alternating current (AC) and decrease the brightness of the
CCFL when the laptop computing device is operating on direct current
(DC). This may save power and increase a battery operating time of the
laptop computing device. Also, after the laptop computing device is out
of warranty, the user may decide to increase the then-current maximum
brightness of the CCFL if the user has noticed that the CCFL has begun to
dim due to aging of the CCFL. Alternatively, the maximum brightness can
automatically be increased when the luminance of the CCFL reaches a
predetermined minimum value due to aging of the CCFL. The lamp control
panel can also indicate to the user a decrease in lamp life due to an
increase in brightness of the CCFL or an increase in lamp life due to a
decrease in brightness of the CCFL.

[0030]Referring to FIG. 3, the back of a laptop computing device, such as
the laptop computing device 200, is illustrated. FIG. 3 illustrates the
back of the base 202 and the back of the lid 204. As shown, the laptop
computing device 200 can include a plurality of device connections that
are coupled to a processor within the laptop computing device 200. In an
illustrative embodiment, the laptop computing device 200 can include a
printer connection 302, e.g., an IEEE-1284 connection. Additionally, the
laptop computing device 200 can include a first universal serial bus
(USB) connection 304 and a second USB connection 306. In a particular
embodiment, two USB enabled devices can be coupled to the laptop
computing device 200 via the USB connections 304, 306. FIG. 3 further
illustrates that the laptop computing device 200 can include a modem
connection 308, e.g., an RJ-11 connection. Also, the laptop computing
device 200 can include an Ethernet connection 310, e.g., an RJ-45
connection.

[0031]As shown in FIG. 3, the laptop computing device 200 can further
include a headphone connection 312 and a microphone connection 314.
Additionally, the laptop computing device 200 can include an S-video
connection 316 and an external monitor connection 318. Also, the laptop
computing device 200 can include an AC adapter connection 320. In an
exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 3, the various
connections 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320 can be
incorporated into the base 202 of the laptop computing device 200.
Further, in an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, the laptop computing
device 200 can include one or more Personal Computer Memory Card
International Association (PCMCIA) connections, a compact disk (CD)
drive, a digital video disk (DVD) drive, and a battery.

[0032]FIG. 4 shows a lamp control system, generally designated 400, that
can be installed within the laptop computing device 200. In a particular
embodiment, the lamp control system 400 can be a cold cathode fluorescent
lamp (CCFL) control system. As shown, the lamp control system 400 can
include a lamp 402, e.g., a CCFL. A current sensor transformer 404 can be
coupled to the lamp 402. Further, a transformer 406 can be coupled to the
lamp 402. A transformer drive 408 can be coupled to the transformer 406
and a (pulse width modulator) PWM controller 410 can be connected to the
transformer drive 408. Also, a boost controller 412 can be coupled to the
PWM controller 410.

[0033]As shown in FIG. 4, a SmBus controller 414 can be coupled to the
boost controller 412. Further, a counter 416, a thermal sensor 418, and a
photo sensor 420 can be coupled to the boost controller 412. Also, a
memory 422 can be coupled to the boost controller 412. As described
below, the lamp control system 400 can be used to control the luminance,
or brightness, of the lamp.

[0034]For example, the boost controller 412 can use the counter 415, the
thermal sensor 418, and a photo sensor 420 to monitor the lamp and
control the luminance of the lamp. For example, if the photo sensor 420
senses that the lamp has dimmed, a message may be sent to a user asking
if the user would like to increase the brightness of the lamp. If so, the
lamp current can be adjusted to increase the brightness. Further, if the
thermal sensor 418 senses that the lamp is approaching a critical
temperature, the user can be sent a warning indicating such a condition.
Further, the user can be warned that the brightness of the lamp will be
decreased to allow the lamp to cool sufficiently.

[0035]If the user wishes to have increased brightness, while decreasing
lamp life, the user can use the lamp control system 400 to increase the
lamp current. Also, if the user wishes to increase the lamp life, while
decreasing luminance, the user can use the lamp control system 400 to
decrease the lamp current. Additionally, as the lamp ages, the lamp
current can be increased to increase the luminance of the lamp. This can
be automatic or based on input received from the user. For example, as
the lamp ages, the user may notice that the luminance of the lamp has
decreased. In a particular embodiment, the user can access a diagnostic
tool associated with the lamp, e.g., a lamp control panel. From the lamp
control panel, the user can increase the lamp current in order to
increase the luminance of the lamp.

[0036]Referring to FIG. 5, a method of controlling lamp luminance is shown
and commences at block 500, when a user runs a service module or accesses
a diagnostic tool. At block 502, a sensing block 504 can read a counter.
The counter can indicate the number of times the lamp has been powered on
and off. In a particular embodiment, the more the lamp is powered on,
i.e., fired, the greater the decrease in the life of the lamp. At block
506, the sensing block 504 can check the brightness of the lamp. Also, at
block 508, the sensing block 504 can check the temperature of the lamp.
In a particular embodiment, the sensing block can be placed near the lamp
area to maximize the accuracy of the sensing block, e.g., the accuracy of
a photo sensor within a sensing block or a thermal sensor within the
sensing block.

[0037]The sensing block 504 can also receive user input from a user
interface block 510. The user input can include a specific request by the
user to increase the brightness, or

[0038]luminance, of the lamp. The request can be a request to increase the
luminance by a percentage from the current value, e.g., one percent (1%),
two percent (2%), three percent (3%), four percent (4%), five percent
(5%), six percent (6%), seven percent (7%), eight percent (8%), nine
percent (9%), ten percent (10%), etc. The user input can also include a
specific request by the user to decrease the brightness of the lamp. The
request can be a request to decrease the luminance by a percentage from
the current value, e.g., one percent (1%), two percent (2%), three
percent (3%), four percent (4%), five percent (5%), six percent (6%),
seven percent (7%), eight percent (8%), nine percent (9%), ten percent
(10%), etc. The user input can also include a request by the user to
increase the life of the lamp. The request can be a request to increase
the life of the lamp by a percentage value over the predetermined life of
the lamp, one percent (1%), two percent (2%), three percent (3%), four
percent (4%), five percent (5%), six percent (6%), seven percent (7%),
eight percent (8%), nine percent (9%), ten percent (10%), etc.

[0039]The sensing block 504 can transmit one or more signals to a
summation unit 512. The summation unit 512 can take the outputs from the
sensing block and transmit a summed signal to a control block 514. Based
on the signal from the summation unit 512, the control block 514 can
determine, at decision step 516, whether the luminance of the lamp needs
adjustment. The decision can be at least partially based on the user
input, the counter value, the temperature of the lamp, the luminance of
the lamp, or a combination thereof. If the luminance does not need
adjustment, the method can move to block 518 and the diagnostic tool can
be exited and the method can end.

[0040]Returning to decision step 516, if the luminance of the lamp needs
adjustment, based on the signal received from the sensing block 504, via
the summation unit 512, the method can move to block 520. At block 520,
the control block 514 can access a conversion matrix. The conversion
matrix can be a look-up table that can include one or more preset
registers that can be used to convert the input from the sensing block in
order to adjust the luminance of the lamp. For example, a five percent
(5%) increase in lamp luminance may require a one-quarter milliAmp (0.25
mA) increase in lamp current. Proceeding to block 522, the new setting
for the lamp luminance can be written in an inverter memory. Thereafter,
the diagnostic tool can be exited at block 518 and the method can end.

[0041]Referring to FIG. 6 a plot of luminance versus kilohours is shown. A
first plot line 602 indicates that for a lamp operating at a lamp current
of approximately six milliAmps (6 mA), luminance can decrease from an
initial luminance, LI, approximately one hundred candela per square
meters (100 cd/m2) to a predetermined first boost trigger luminance,
LBT1, that is equal to 0.6*LI, e.g., approximately sixty
candela per square meters (60 cd/m2) at approximately twelve
thousand hours (12 Kh). A second plot line 604 indicates that by boosting
the lamp current one-half milliAmp (0.5 mA) to six and one-half milliAmps
(6.5 mA), the luminance can be boosted to a first boosted luminance,
LB1, that is 0.9*LI, e.g., approximately ninety candela per
square meters (90 cd/m2). Thereafter, the luminance can steadily
decrease to a second boost trigger luminance, LBT2, that is equal to
0.5*LI, e.g., approximately fifty candela per square meters (50
cd/m2) over the next twelve thousand hours (12 Kh) until
approximately twenty four thousand hours (24 Kh).

[0042]A third plot line 606 indicates that at twenty four thousand hours
(24 Kh), the luminance can be boosted, once again, to a second boosted
luminance, LB2, that is equal to 0.8*LI, e.g., approximately
eighty candela per square meters 80 cd/m2) by increasing the lamp
current one-half milliAmp (0.5 mA) to seven milliAmps (7.0 mA). The
luminance can then decrease to approximately sixty-five candela per
square meters (65 cd/m2) over the next six thousand hours (6 Kh)
until approximately thirty thousand hours (30 Kh). Thereafter, thermal
limits may prevent the lamp current from being increased to an even
higher value.

[0043]In a particular embodiment, the lamp control system described herein
can monitor the luminance, L, of the lamp. As the L decreases from
LI, the system can determine when L is equal LBT1. At
approximately LBT1, the system can automatically boost L to
LB1. The system can automatically boost L to LB1 by boosting
the lamp current, CL, from an initial lamp current, CLI, to a
first boosted lamp current, CBL1. Alternatively, a warning can be
sent to the user with an indication that the luminance can be boosted by
increasing the lamp current and the user can be queried on whether to
increase the lamp current.

[0044]Thereafter, the lamp control system can continue to monitor L. At
approximately LBT2, the system can automatically boost L to
LB2. The system can automatically boost L to LB1 by boosting
CL from CLBL1 to a second boosted lamp current, CBL2.
Alternatively, a warning can be sent to the user with an indication that
the luminance can be boosted by increasing the lamp current and the user
can be queried on whether to increase the lamp current.

[0045]With the configuration of structure described herein, the system and
method described herein can be used to control the luminance of a cold
cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL). As the lamp ages, the lamp current can
be increased to increase the luminance of the lamp. Additionally, if the
user wishes to have increased brightness, while decreasing lamp life, the
user can use the system to increase the lamp current. Also, if the user
wishes to increase the lamp life, while decreasing luminance, the user
can use the lamp control system to decrease the lamp current. As the CCFL
ages and dims, the user can access a control panel in order to increase
the luminance of the CCFL. Alternatively, the system can automatically
boost the lamp current in order to boost the luminance of the CCFL. The
system and method can be used in conjunction with a laptop computing
device, a computer monitor, a television, or another similar device.

[0046]The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative,
and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all
such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments that fall within
the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum
extent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be
determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following
claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by
the foregoing detailed description.